In 1773, Benjamin Franklin was living in London and acting as Commissioner for the colonies of Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Georgia. He learned of, and obtained copies of, letters from the Province of Massachusetts Bay Governor Thomas Hutchinson and Lieutenant Governor Oliver written to powerful people in England. These letters called "for suppressive measures" and advised "action detrimental to the colonies." Benjamin Franklin came before the privy council in London, on behalf of the House of Representatives, to petition for the removal of Hutchinson and Oliver from office.

This account includes a description of the event from Bancroft's History of the United States, and the text of the letters and speeches relating to the event. It was originally published in Philadelphia in 1860.